Earl Graves, Sr. Passed Away!

Business mogul Earl Graves, Sr. of Black Enterprises passed away.

The founder of Black Enterprise has passed away.

Earl Graves, Sr. the founder of Black Enterprise dies at 85 years old after complications from a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

He passed away on Monday.

His son, Earl "Butch" Graves, Jr., tweeted the news of his father's passing on social media.

At 9:22pm this evening, April 6, my Father and Hero Earl Graves Sr., the Founder of @blackenterprise, passed away quietly after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. I loved and admired this giant of a man, and am blessed to be his namesake. LOVE YOU DAD! pic.twitter.com/UoerizfX8a

— Earl Butch Graves Jr (@EarlButchGraves) April 7, 2020

Graves launched Black Enterprise in 1970. He wrote his best selling book, "How To Succeed in Business Without Being White." Graves gave his reasons to why he started his legendary publication.

Earl Graves, Sr. and his sons, Earl "Butch" Jr, Johnny and Michael.

"The time was ripe for a magazine devoted to economic development in the African American community. The publication was committed to the task of educating, inspiring and uplifting its readers. My goal was to show them how to thrive professionally, economically and as proactive empowering citizens," Graves wrote.

Graves was born in 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. He was living in Bedford Stuyvesant. He attended Morgan State University, where he graduated with an economic degree. After serving in the army and working in real estate and law enforcement, Graves landed a position as the administrative assistant to Robert F. Kennedy, which he held until Kennedy's assassination in 1968.

Graves was listed in Who's Who in America. He was named one of the 10 most outstanding businessman in the country by Richard Nixon in 1972; and recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the future leaders in the country.

Graves built an empire and worked for success. He had received the 1999 NAACP Springarn Medal and inducted into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

Graves believed in education and the entrepreneurial spirit. He said those were the keys to his success as a business mogul.

Graves leaves behind his wife, Barbara, and three sons. Earl "Butch" Graves, Jr., Johnny Graves and Michael Graves.